(Photo via Imagn Images)
The Miami Heat are a better team today than they were just a few days ago. This improvement is courtesy of the low-cost trade acquisition of Norman Powell. However, that makes it even more justifiable for Pat Riley and the front office to keep finding ways to improve the roster before the end of the offseason.
Just when fans were starting to believe in an apparent youth movement around Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, a win-now move fell right in Miami’s lap.
Many have speculated that they might not be done. If that’s the case, another cheaper upgrade could still be on the table to arise mid-summer. And the Heat have been linked to DeMar DeRozan all offseason, despite a quiet market for the 35 year-old veteran.
Rumors have been swirling all summer that the Sacramento Kings and DeRozan are both open to finding the six-time All-Star a new team. Near the beginning of the offseason, Miami was reportedly viewed as a “plausible” destination for his services. This was according to ClutchPoint’s Brett Siegel.
“The Kings are expected to gauge the market for DeRozan this summer, sources said…For years, the Miami Heat have been labeled as a prime destination for DeRozan, and he will once again be viewed as a plausible target for Pat Riley’s team.”
— Brett Siegel
Bleacher Report insider Jake Fischer more recently iterated that Miami was “still connected” to DeRozan on the trade market.
Regardless of DeRozan being another aging star, he has become a bit of an underrated talent over the last couple of seasons. He is still capable of being a game changer offensively and in the clutch. Even in his mid 30’s, he has also been a reliable player in recent years. He appeared in an average of 78 out of the 82 possible games over the past two seasons.
DeMar DeRozan averaged 22.2 points, 4.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds on 48% shooting in the 2024-25 campaign.
After adding Powell, bringing in another All-Star caliber talent like DeRozan would only bolster a suddenly competitive Heat roster re-tool. Especially with the Eastern Conference appearing wide open next year.
He is still an efficient midrange master and can help with slowing the game down. This is something that the Heat were missing in crunch time and in the postseason after Jimmy Butler’s departure. Reputable defenders like Powell, Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware and Davion Mitchell can all help supplement DeRozan’s offensive-heavy skill set.
Miami still has one open roster spot, along with a talented wing to headline in another potential deal in Andrew Wiggins— who had a rocky start to his Heat tenure. Wiggins’ fit both on and off the court, along with availability issues, limited him in just 17 of the possible 30+ games played post-Butler trade. His on-court chemistry with the team only looked more questionable with some underwhelming outings in the team’s brief playoff appearance.
Additionally, Jaime Jaquez Jr. could be a younger asset to utilize following a sophomore slump of his own last season. This is along with Terry Rozier’s expiring salary that the front office has been reportedly shopping.
The LA Lakers are a team that has been eyeing Wiggins as a target. The Kings are trying to go a bit younger and revamp a stale core. DeRozan and his team-friendly near $24 million salary has been their biggest trade candidate. In a hypothetical mock trade idea, financially approved via Spotrac, all three of the Heat, Lakers, and Kings could make sense as trade partners.
DeRozan is another impact player that Miami has repeatedly circled back on over the years. An overdue pairing in South Beach can pose as a better fit than Wiggins to sure up coach Erik Spoelstra’s lineup. Even more so if they can offload bad assets and/or gain additional good pieces in the process.
Do you think DeRozan would be an upgrade for Miami next season? Let us know in the comments!
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This team is becoming the island of misfit toys
Here’s a multi-team trade worth considering.
New Orleans receives: Herro, Wiggins, Fontecchio, 1st round pick (from Miami)
Sacramento receives: Rozier, Jaquez, 2nd round pick (from Miami)
Utah receives: Larsson, 2nd round pick (from Miami)
Miami receives: Murray/Williamson (N.O.), DeRozan/Daric (Sacto), Filipowski (Utah)
Rotation:
Murray, Powell, Williamson, Bam, Ware
Mitchell, DeRozan, Jovic, Johnson, Filipowski
Smith*, Jakucionis, Daric**, Highsmith ***, Goldin
Note:
Murray: 3 years/$126.5 (3rd year 2027-2028 @ $31.6M player option)
Williamson: 3 years/$118.3M
DeRozan: 2 years/$50.3M (second year 2026-2027 partially guaranteed)
Daric: 1 year/$5.4M (Expiring)
Filipowski: 3 years/$9M (2026-2027 not fully guaranteed, 2027-2028 team option)
* Replace Smith with Lillard (if he decides to sign with Miami).
** Waive and stretch Daric over 3 years @$1.8M per
*** Trade Highsmith for 2nd round pick or waive & stretch over 3 years @ $1.87M per
Yes…would take that trade in a heartbeat.
Big yes. DeRozan has plenty in the tank. Getting Rui and getting rid of JJJ would also help. Also, Vincent thrived with us. And, maybe having him would allow us to trade someone else. We would then be competitive. All anyone here would need is to watch DeRozan make plays certain players on the Heat could never make to convince you.
Big no.
Our kids needs to learn how to close, not watching DeRozan doing it.
Norman Powell Media Availability Day. Heat Culture type of player. Reminds me of a cross between Mitchell and Burks. He’ll fit very well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-1UN5tNTAA
He sure will.
Dunno if its gonna be fun hearing abt emar erozan if he gets here 🙄🤔
We should also prepare for Jak-u-no-show-us
If Miami can give Jovic 4 years and Jaquez 3 to prove themselves, the Heat can give Jakucionis at least 2 years to do the same. I see his ceiling at least as high as Josh Giddey’s.
Yes, going to take at least that. And it’s not a given. But, I have to admit, the experts see things that I sure don’t.
lol
DeRozan off the bench with Mitchell, Highsmith, Johnson and Jovic works. Just like Herro with Powell, Wiggins, Bam and Ware works. PLUS…DeRozan is exactly what Miami has been missing since Butler left and what it now needs…a closer. Last year he averaged 22.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg & 4.4 apg. His career averages are 21.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg & 4.1 apg.
I Googled: “Is DeMar DeRozan a good closer?” Here’s what I got back:
Yes, DeMar DeRozan is widely considered a good closer in the NBA. He has earned a reputation for being a reliable player in high-pressure situations, capable of making clutch shots and plays to secure victories.
Proven Ability:
DeRozan has demonstrated his ability to perform well in late-game situations throughout his career. Mid-Range Prowess:
He excels in the mid-range area, a shot often relied upon in close games when defenses tighten up. Clutch Scoring:
He has a history of scoring crucial baskets in the final minutes of close games. Confidence:
DeRozan himself has stated that he thrives in close game situations, indicating a strong mental fortitude. Leadership:
He has also been lauded for his leadership qualities, which can be vital in guiding his team to victory in tight contests. Defensive Awareness:
While known for his offense, DeRozan has shown the ability to make smart defensive plays in clutch moments. If Miami can get him for Rozier, Jaquez and a second rounder, it would be another steal.
P.S. RILEY SHOULD NOT GET FLEECED BY THE LAKERS!!!
Unless they want to give up Hachimura, Knecht and a first rounder for Wiggins, that’s a no deal. Period.
good thoughts bro. as always. Riles i think knows how to deal with his former LA team. im apprehensive abt Ware’s backup at C. and i do agree Derozan is clutch. he had this back to back game winners 3 seasons ago.
Yeah, we don’t need an $11m Vincent. We need to get Carter or Knecht in that deal, even if you have to include a second round pick.
I like DeRozan, but would prefer to get more than Vincent. Still need a big to plug in with Bam and Ware. If Lakers can’t come through with more, I would prefer a direct trade with Sacto Rozier, Jaquez and 2nd Rd pick for DeRozan. That way Heat would have Mitchell and DeRozan coming off the bench.
Herro, Powell, Wiggins, Bam, Ware
Mitchell, DeRozan, Highsmith, Johnson, Jovic
Jakucioinis, Larsson, Fontecchio,
That is a better trade. I may be the only one here who wants to keep Wiggins. Dont mind losing Rozier and JJJ though.
I am not ready to write Wiggins off yet either. He is only 30 and a good two way player and his contract is not bad either. I wouldn’t trade him, unless we can get a better return for him.
I agree. If there’s a better fit or if we do a trade that brings back draft picks, fine. But notwithstanding how he played in the playoffs, he’s a solid player. Not flashy, not explosive, just steady.
That mock trade would be fun for this year, especially for the we need to strike while the east is weak group. But all of the young players, or unrealized potential players, end up elsewhere. Miss out on any JJJ breakthrough. No Knecht or Carter. Tons of expiring’s so could be left with nobody. Because of that I would have to slightly disagree, but admit it would be a fun season to follow.